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Chits or cards?

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mcobb83
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Here's a question that came up recently about the actual physical components of a game.

Up until now Defenders of Wessex has used 3/4" cardboard chits to represent resources. The only issue we ever had was that sometimes the stacks mingle and mess up.

One play tester thought that it would be better to us mini or even micro cards. So the question is, does replacing chits with cards add enough value to justify the increased cost?

Soulfinger
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mcobb83 wrote:One play tester

mcobb83 wrote:
One play tester thought that it would be better to us mini or even micro cards. So the question is, does replacing chits with cards add enough value to justify the increased cost?

Well chit, man. I'd look at it this way. If you include card chits then people will be disappointed that they aren't as thick as FFG's chits. If you do that then people will want wooden tokens. If you include those then people will want plastic.

With cards . . . they are cards. There is less of a perceived quality issue, save for preference between linen and glossy. There is the consideration though of the tactile element. Will this lead people to view your product as a card game, whereas you may want to reinforce the experience in a different way? I expect we all have games that just feel right when we handle the components, and the way that we interact with the pieces defines our sense of play.

You want to look at the difference in cost between the two options. Then factor in how it will affect the dimensions of your packaging and the weight of your game, as one option may cost marginally more but save you in the long run on shipping expenses or tidy up your packaging layout. Also, you'll want to factor in how cost effective it is to fit extras into the chit sheet or card deck for KS stretch goals, promos, and such.

Lastly, if your dad is doing the art then cards, hands-down, because it makes for a larger canvas. I have a feeling that people are going to want to see his art dominating a playing card rather than scaled down on a chit.

mcobb83
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I hadn't considered the

I hadn't considered the impact of card art before. That could really add a sweet quality element to the game. Currently we are using chit only because they are cheaper, since even a micro card deck increases the cost of the game by $2, and doesn't make a lot of difference in weight or packaging (since Game Crafter only has set box sizes).

However, as a stretch goal or something on Kickstarter, or even offered as a "deluxe" version, cards really could have a lot of extra value. ThanKS for the thought Soulfinger!

radioactivemouse
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Apologize for going off subject

mcobb83 wrote:
Here's a question that came up recently about the actual physical components of a game.

Up until now Defenders of Wessex has used 3/4" cardboard chits to represent resources. The only issue we ever had was that sometimes the stacks mingle and mess up.

One play tester thought that it would be better to us mini or even micro cards. So the question is, does replacing chits with cards add enough value to justify the increased cost?

Is Defenders of Wessex the title of your game?

If so, I'd highly advise considering a new name, just so you can avoid misunderstanding.

mcobb83
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radioactivemouse wrote: Is

radioactivemouse wrote:

Is Defenders of Wessex the title of your game?

If so, I'd highly advise considering a new name, just so you can avoid misunderstanding.

Can you be a little more clear as to the nature of the misunderstanding? Obviously if you perceive a misunderstanding then I'm not getting it. Clarity would help.

The game is a co-op, wherein the players work together to defend Wessex against the Danish Viking invasion of 876.

radioactivemouse
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mcobb83

mcobb83 wrote:
radioactivemouse wrote:

Is Defenders of Wessex the title of your game?

If so, I'd highly advise considering a new name, just so you can avoid misunderstanding.

Can you be a little more clear as to the nature of the misunderstanding? Obviously if you perceive a misunderstanding then I'm not getting it. Clarity would help.

The game is a co-op, wherein the players work together to defend Wessex against the Danish Viking invasion of 876.

Wessex...We Sex.

I'm not trying to hate on the title, I just know people can take things the wrong way.

mcobb83
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And suddenly my game goes

And suddenly my game goes from a good old "lets fight the Vikings" to "lets do something else with the Vikings".

I remember being a kid and looking at the name of an apartment building by my house -- it was called "Sussex House", and of course we snickered because it had the word sex in it. I know exactly what you mean.

Hopefully we can avoid odd misunderstandings with the aid of the box art. Yes, the Viking on the cover will be fully clothed.

Soulfinger
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radioactivemouse

radioactivemouse wrote:
Wessex...We Sex.

I'm not trying to hate on the title, I just know people can take things the wrong way.

I can imagine this popping up in the comments field of a KS, but I can't see it affecting sales.

radioactivemouse
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Not trying to be immature about it.

mcobb83 wrote:
And suddenly my game goes from a good old "lets fight the Vikings" to "lets do something else with the Vikings".

I remember being a kid and looking at the name of an apartment building by my house -- it was called "Sussex House", and of course we snickered because it had the word sex in it. I know exactly what you mean.

Hopefully we can avoid odd misunderstandings with the aid of the box art. Yes, the Viking on the cover will be fully clothed.

I'm really not trying to be immature about this matter. I'm just being plain about it. People will take the title the wrong way. Just my observation.

Ultimately, Soulfinger has a point: will it affect sales? Probably? not really? I'm not sure.

mcobb83
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I took it as a legitimate

I took it as a legitimate point and not immaturity. But I also understand that the world is full of pre-pubescent 12 year olds trapped in much older bodies. I don't think it will harm sales, at least not for that reason.

Soulfinger
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I guess you could do a

I guess you could do a stretch goal with an alternate cover billing the game as "Bikini Babes in Bonerville." That way, you deflect the giggling of misogynistic schoolboys into a revenue stream and ride the inevitable controversy into Kickstarter history.

Rick L
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I've been considering

I've been considering switching from cards to chits for one aspect of my game. Cards are easier to stack & keep organized, and if you want players to draw chits "face down" or a blind draw, I'm thinking they would have to be drawn from bag. The upside to using chits is that they take up less space on the game table when played; in my case, I would use them as ingredients for Alchemy experiments, and they could be placed directly on top of an Alchemy card when in use.

As much as I like that idea, I need a fairly large supply of chits to draw from, especially if there are more players. That's where a single stack of face-down cards makes more sense.

Not sure if those things factor into the original post, but I'd say whatever is more convenient for gameplay is worth a couple dollars.

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